US president casts doubt on forgiveness, says he doesn’t forget criticism
“I’m talking to your leader [Albanese]”Trump was just here and he’s a great guy and I’m going to make sure he has someone he loves,” she said.
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“I have one or two [in mind]I don’t know if they want it; I would like to, I have someone in mind.
“Here’s the good news; everyone wants to be an ambassador for Australia.”
The position of U.S. ambassador to Australia, like Australia’s ambassador to the United States, is generally viewed as a desirable position and is often filled by a political or business associate of the then-president rather than a career diplomat.
However, this often leads to long gaps where there is no ambassador. With Joe Biden’s appointment, Caroline Kennedy, the only surviving child of former president John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline Kennedy, took office in July 2022 and served for less than two and a half years.
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Since Kennedy’s departure from office in November 2024, the United States has been without an ambassador to Australia, with that role temporarily assumed by Charge d’Affaires Erika Olson.
The coalition initially responded to the Trump-Rudd incident by calling for Rudd to be fired from the embassy.
However, Opposition Leader Sussan Ley toned down her rhetoric the next day, saying Rudd was the Prime Minister’s choice and that he had a “big job” to do.
Rudd has also won praise from across the political spectrum for his tireless work in Washington, particularly in the US Congress.
Liberal frontbencher Jane Hume said calls for Rudd to be sent home were “presumptuous”, while former Liberal prime minister Tony Abbott said Rudd had “done a good job for Australia”.
Albanese also praised Rudd extensively in Washington this week. “If there is an ambassador who works harder,” he told a meeting of members of Congress. [Capitol Hill] then please let me know because Kevin is doing his best and seems to know everything.”
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